Venetian blind



P. H. WILSON AND 0. H. SAPPER.

Patnted Nov. 7; 1922.

1 T E E H s s T E E H S 7 2 P. H. WILSON AND 0. H.'SAPPER.

VENETIKN BLIND. APPLICATION HL ED DEC.24, 1919.

Q 1 434,8 .7,- 4 Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Nov. 7, 12.

PERCY H. WILSGN, 0F NORFOLK, AND CHARLES H. SAPPER, UF SOUTH NORFOLK,

' VIRGINIA.

' VENETIAN BLIND.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Pnnor H. WILSON and CHARLES H. SAPPER, citizens of the United States, and residents of Norfolk, county of Norfolk, State of Virginia, and South Norfolk, county of Norfolk, State of Virginia, respectively, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Venetian-Blinds, of which the following is a description.

My inventionrelates to an adjustable blind or shade for windows.

Venetian blinds have been long known,

but their use has been restricted by difiiculties in practical operation, particularly asto the operation of the means employed in raising and lowering the shade and in adjusting the angle of the slats of which such blinds are composed.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide a reliable and relatively simple arrangement for venetian blinds and the like whereby large and heavy blinds may be readily raised and lowered with slightefiort.

Further objects of our invention are to provide a novel and simple form of tilting mechanism and a strong and simple form of guide rail.

'lhenovel features of our invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, with further objects and advantages;

will best be understood from a perusal of the following specification taken in oonnecfor purposes of illustration;

Fi 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the lines 44 of Figs. 1 and 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the braking elements appearing in Fig. 1;

r Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 7 6-6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow; and

F 'ig. 9 is a detail view, partly in section, illustrating our improved form of guide member and its relation to the slats of the blind.

In the drawings, 1 is a suitable frame member which may be suspended by any convenient means, not shown, in proper rela tion to the window frame. Supported from member 1 by brackets, such as 2, is a shaft 3, which is used in raising and lowering the slats, such as 4, comprised in the blind structure: Slats 4 are attached to and supported by suitable cords or chains, such as 5, which extend vertically along the front and rear edges of the slats. Chains 5 are secured at their upper ends to a supporting bar 6 and means are provided whereby the angle of the bar may be adjusted to thereby adjust the angle of the slats to a considerable degree on either side of the horizontal. Extending vertically along each side of the blind structure, are two guides, such as 7, an enlarged section of member 7 being shown in Fig. 9. Approximately every fifth slat beginning at the bottom of the blind is recessed at its ends, as illustrated at 8, (Fig. 9) to receive a pin 10, the outer end of which is riveted or otherwise securely fastened to a slide member 11, the ends of which are bent inwardly to embrace a slide upon the outwardly extending edges of guide member 7. Thus, when the slats are raised by the chains, such as 12, secured to the arms, such as 13, on the lower slide 11, the slats are held in proper relative position, as shown in Fig.

l/Vhen desiring to wind up the chains 12 to lift the lower slide 11 and so lap the slats more or less, as shown in Fig. 2, one should pull down one or more times on the cord 14;. This cord runs around a drum 15 in clockwise direction as viewed from the right of Figs. 1 and 3, and is secured to the drum as indicated at 16. Drum 15 is loose on the shaft 17 and has within it a spring 18, one end of which is fixed to the drum and the other end of which is fixed to a stationary sleeve 19. The left hand face of the drum as shown in Fig. 3 has fixed thereto, near the lif . shaft, a projecting cam 20 which co-operates with a complementalrecess in a sleeve 21, a spring 22 being provided between the sleeve 21 and a fixed part 23, which forces sleeve 21 against the cam 20. Sleeve 21 is normally loose on the shaft 17, but we provide a pm 24 through the shaft 17, the projecting ends of which are adapted to co-operate with recesses such as 25, at the left edge of sleeve 21 to lock this sleeve to shaft 17. Now when the operatorpulls down on cord 14, the inclined face of c am member forces sleeve 21 to the left, thereby engaging the serrated edge of the sleeve with the pin and locking the sleeve .21 and drum 1 to the shaft.

0 The shaft consequently is readily rotated in counterclockwise direction when viewed from right of Figs. 1 and 3, thereby rotating the sprocket wheel, such as 26, and winding up on the chains 12 to lift the slats.

W hen tension on the cord 14 is released, the

shaft 17 is prevented from turning backward by a pawl 27 fixed the wheel 26 at the opposite end of shaft 17 from the drum 15, pawl 27 cooperating with a notched wheel 28, shown in section in Fig. 8. The

wheel 28 is fixed to the sleeve 29 which extends through a fixed frame portion 30, the right-hand end of which is in contact with a fixed spring 31, tending normally to force the sleeve 29 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3. Sleeve 29 carries a collar 32 having a conical surface facing the fixed portion 30 and intermediate the frame member 30 and the collar 32, is a braking disk 33 and a pair of revoluble centrifugal brake members, such as 34, carried on pins, such as 35, fixed to the disk'33, members 34 being cut away as indicated at 36, to provide a surface somewhat complemental to that of the collar 32. Normally, the spring 31 forces the sleeve 29, collar 32, weights 34 and disk 33 against the framing member 30 so that the Qsleeve 29 is prevented from turning by fric- 'mitting the shaft 17 to turn in a direction to lower the slats, but as the speed of shaft 17 and sleeve 29 increases, the centrifugal'action on the pivoted brake members 34 causes the ends 41 to bear outwardly somewhat around the pin 35 as a pivot against the action of the restraining spring 42, thus forcing the surfaces of the cut-away portions 36 against the cone face of the collar 32 and thus forcing the opposite face of the weights 34 against the disk 33 and increasing the pressure against friction member37 to regulate the speed of lowering of the blind. When it is desired to alter the angle of the slats 4, we change the angle to the horizontal of the bar 6 by' pulling down one or more times on the cord 43. This cord operates the lever 44 pivoted to the frame at 45, the angle of movement of the lever 44 being limited by a stop 46 and the lever being normally held in one of its extreme positions by means of a retracting spring 47.

ivoted to lever 44 at 48 is a ratchet 49 which is weighted at its lower end so as to normally fall against and engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 50 pivoted to the frame, wheel 50 being prevented from turning in one direction by the pawl 51 also pivoted on the fixed frame. The bar 6 from which the slats are suspended carries an ofi'set thereon which is connected by means of a link 53 with the ratchet wheel 50. Now the weight of the slats and suspension members 5 tends normally to hold the bar 6 and the slats in a horizontal position, the bar being pivoted to the frame work on the axis, suc

as 54. As the wheel 50 is revolved by repeated pulls on the cords 43, the bar 6 is swung to one side to an extreme position in which it makes an angle of approximately 75 degrees with the horizontal, the connect ing point 53 between link 53 and wheel 50 thereupon passing through a dead point, after which further operation of the wheel permits bar 6 and slats 4 to move back toward the horizontal position, a still further operation of wheel 50 then tlltlng bars 6 and slats 4 in the opposite direction in which they were first moved until they'again reach a maximum angle of approximately 75 degrees to the horizontal and after the link mechanism passes through its other dead center, the further operation of wheel 50 permits the slats to turn to horizontal.

It will be seen that it is necessary' to turn the wheel 50 in one direction only to carry the slats through a complete cycle in whic they will occupy all the positions possible with the given arrangement. However, owing to the effect of the weight of the slats tending to return them to horizontal, as above mentioned, we find it desirable to provide a brake mechanism OPBI'atlXKE in those portions of the cycle of movement of the slats in which the slats are returning from their extreme tilted positions to the horizontal in order to prevent them from moving too rapidly. Such brake means is illustrated in detail in Fig. 7 and comprises asemi-cylindrical disk 55 fixed to the bar 6, disk 55 having segmental projections; such as 56 thereon,a lever 57 being provided which is pivoted at 58 to the fixed portion of the frame, conveniently to the portion 23 previously mentioned. The projections 56 this purpose and having a projection 59 near its free end so shaped as to permit the lever to ride upeasily over the tops of the projec-' tions 56. At, the extreme positions of the bar (5, the lever 57 drops down, the projection 59 on the lever falling on the outside of the projections 56 on the disk. Projection 59 on lever 57 has tapered edges, such as 60, which co-operate with complementally formed tapers, such as 61, on the outer faces of the projections 56 so that as the bar 6 returns from its extreme positions toward the horizontal, one of the projections 56 of the semi-cylindrical disc 55 passes between frame portion 23 and projection 59 on lever 57, thus forcing the disc 55 against the frame portion and braking the movement of the bar and' slats during this portion of their cycle of movement. We find, moreover, that by coating the slats a with an enamel paint or other substances having a high lightrefleeting efficiency as compared with the surfaces heretofore provided on slats of venetian blinds, we can greatly increase the amount of light delivered to the portions of a roon'i'removed from the window as compared to what has heretofore been the case. Such coating of high light reflecting efii ciency is indicated at 62, in Fig. 7. 1

lle find-moreover, that the form of guide iron 7 illustrated in Fig. 9 presents practical advantages over the forms heretofore in use, the outer edges of the iron being smoothly rounded and these edges and the other portions of the guide structure presenting no projections or sharp edges which might catch the clothing or do damage to the hands of persons coming in contact with them.

-This form of iron also permits us conveniently to assemble the parts since its channel shape provides sufficient room to permit the use of screws, such as 63, having projecting heads and permits us also to use guide pieces 11 which are flat except at the edges which are curved to embrace the outwardly projecting edges of the guide 7.

It will be seen, moreover, that by'the use of our operating mechanism, venetian blinds even if large and very heavy, can be easily raised, lowered and tilted with the. application of only a moderate amount of force.

Also our raising mechanism can operate to raise the blind through any desired dis-- tance without introducing complications as to the winding cord and it eliminates the necessity for tying the raising cord.

It will be seen that our tilting mechanism is simple and durable and that it needs only one operating cord.

Having thus described our invention, we claim '1. The combination with a shaft of a sleeve on said shaft within which the shaft is rotatable, a brake for said sleeve, and a connection between said shaft and said sleeve permitting free rotation of the shaft in one direction.

2. The combination with a shaft of a brake, an operative connection between said brake and shaft including a ratchet, and operator-controlled means whereby said brake may be relaxed.

3. The combination with a shaft of a brake, an operative connection between said brake and shaft including a ratchet, operator-controlled means whereby said brake may be relaxed, and automatic means for limiting the speed of said shaft when the brake is relaxed by said operator controlled means.

4. The combination with-a shaft of a brake, an operative connection between said brake and shaft including a ratchet, and operator-controlled means whereby said brake may be relaxed, said brake including automatic means for limiting the speed of said shaft when the brake is relaxed by said operator controlled means.

5. The. combination with a shaft of a brake, an operative connection between said brake and shaft including a ratchet, oper ator-controlled means whereby said brake may be relaxed, and centrifugally actuated means for limiting the speed of said shaft when the brake is relaxed by said operatorcontrolled means.

6. The combination with a shaft of a brake, an operative connection between said brake and shaft including a ratchet, a spring-return cord-actuated drum, and clutch means acting to lock said drum to said shaft when the drum is turned by its cord.

7. The combination of a shaft mounted to revolve, a structure supported from said shaft, a normally stationary brake member, a ratchet connection between said shaft and brake member permitting said shaft to revolve only in' the direct-ionto raise said structure so long as said brake member is stationary, manually operated me ans whereby said shaft may be turned while said brake member is stationaryto raise saidstructure, and means whereby said brake member may be permitted to turn under the weight of said structure to lower the same.

8. A bra-he comprising a friction member movable afrially of but rotating at the same speed with the part to be braked, a member 9. A brake comprising a friction member movable axially of but rotating at the same speed with the part to be braked, a member fixed to the part to be braked, and a centrifugally actuated member intermediate said two previously mentioned members and tending under the centrifugal'action to force said friction member away from said fixed member, said fixed member having a conical surface and said centrifugally actuated member having a complemental surface contacting with that of the fixed member.

10. A brake comprising a friction member movable axially of but rotating at the same speed with the part to be braked, a member fixed to the part to be braked, and a centrifugally actuated member intermedi- .ate said two previously mentioned members and tending under the centrifugal action to force said frictionmember away from said fixed member, said fixed member having a I conical surface and said centrifugally actuated' member having acomplemental surface contacting with that of the fixed mem bu", said centrifugally actuated member being pivotally supported from said friction -member.

ll. The combination of a shaft loaded to turn in a given direction and sleeve on said shaft within which the shaft is rotatable, a brake for said sleeve normally holding the sleeve stationary under its load, and a connection between said shaft and sleeve permitting free rotation of the shaft in the direction opposite that in which its load tends to turn its v 12. The combination of a shaft loaded to turn in a given direction, and a brake normally arresting the action of said load to hold the shaft stationary, an operative connection between said brake and shaft including a ratchet, a spring-return cord-actuated drum normally free to turn with respect to said shaft, a clutch means acting to lock said drum to said shaft when the drum is turned by its cord in a direction tending to revolve said shaft against its load.

13. The combination of a rotatable shaft, a friction member movable axially of but rotating at the same speed with said shaft, conical member fixed to said shaft, centrifugally acting members pivoted to said friction member and having arms integral therewith provided with recesses and whose surfaces are complementary to that of said conical member, and a fixed friction member adjacent said first mentioned friction memher, said centrifugal members lying between said conical member and said first mentioned friction member and acting to force said friction members together by the reaction between said complementary surfaces.

14. The combination of a rotatable shaft, a sleeve on said shaft within which said shaft may be turned, a ratchet connection between said sleeve and shaft, a collar fixed to said sleeve, a friction member movable axially with said sleeve but rotating at the same speed therewith, a fixed friction member adapted to cooperate with said first mentioned friction member, centrifugally means lying between said collar and said first mentioned friction member, spring means normally forcing said collar, centrifugal member and first friction member inthe direction of said first mentioned friction member in the direction of said fixed friction member whereby said sleeve and shaft are normally held stationary and manual means for relaxing the pressure of said spring, said centrifugal means exerting a thrust between said collar and said first mentioned friction member to force the friction members into engagement when the shaft is rotating and thereby limiting the speed of said shaft.

PERCY H. WILSON. CHARLES H. SAPPER. Witness:

R. D. HOPKINS. 

